Travels: Oasis of alpine roses in Helsinki

“The earth laughs in flowers.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is a surreal paradise not too far from the Helsinki city center. It is a world where alpine roses meet mighty pine trees. It is a collision of realms of sweet flowers and trees that are used to four seasons and the harshness of conditions.

The Rhododendron Park in the Haaga district in Helsinki, north of the city center, is an oasis with its best costume in June. There are both azaleas and rhododendrons and one can easily get lost in the sea of flowers. The oldest rhododendrons date back to mid and late 70’s.

The place looks idyllic in the June light, but I cannot stop thinking about how the scenery looks in November. But then again, I like to picture beautiful places in dystopic terms, so I probably should pay the park a visit when it is raining cats and dogs and there are different shades of grey.

Also worth checking out earlier in the spring is the Cherry Tree Park in Roihuvuori, east of the city center.

Below are some pics from a pre-midsummer adventure, enjoy them and welcome to Helsinki (YouTube link)! Have a great summer and take care of each other 🙂

PS. I have been quite busy lately, so I have not had enough time to read. So stay tuned for book reviews later on. I am still working on the ones that I wish to review. Next week, there is a poll related to rock music! Check it out as well!

Photos: fictivestina

“I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It’s so fuckin’ heroic.”~George Carlin